A New Interpretation of Aristotle's Poetics 9.1451b25-26

The phrase tau gamma nu rho iota mu alpha lambda gamma omicron iota sigma gamma nu rho iota mu sigma tau iota that occurs in the ninth chapter of the Aristotelian Poetics was usually interpreted as a statement of Aristotle that the public at his time did not know the myths. It was therefore regarded as problematic in view of other Aristotelian passages but also in view of information provided by other authors concerning the knowledge of the public. The problem, however, can be solved if one understands the dative lambda gamma omicron iota sigma not as personal dative, but as dativus respectus or instrumentalis. The present paper argues in support of this interpretation on the basis of linguistic parallels as well as on the basis of comments on the content.